Abstract

Knowledge of common diseases is important for effective disease control and management programme. This retrospective study was designed to identify the common equine diseases and clinical conditions observed at the Large Animal Clinics of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, using clinical case file records. Equine data were collected, analyzed on the basis of breed, sex, age and diagnosis. Out of the 1516 large animal cases reported during the study period (2001-2015) a total of 49 (3.2%) equine cases of 26 different diseases and/or clinical conditions were identified. Horses were the only equine spp reported with occurrence of the cases higher in the male (85.71%) and in the local breed (91.8%). Adult horses (> 4years) had the highest percentage (61.22%). Of the 26 diseases and/or clinical conditions identified, colic recorded highest percentage (18.37%) followed by strongyle infections (8.16%), lameness (8.16%), laceration/traumatic injury (6.12%), verminous pneumonia (6.12%) and equine influenza (6.12%). According to body systems affected, musculoskeletal recorded highest cases (32.65%) followed by gastrointestinal (28.57%), respiratory (14.29%) and cardiovascular being the least (2.04%). 17 (34.6%) of the total cases identified were associated with infectious causes while 32 (65.4%) were associated with non infectious causes. Based on infectious causes 10 (58.82%) were parasitic, 4 (23.53%) bacterial and 3 (17.65%) viral cases. Colic, lameness, laceration/traumatic injury, fracture and rectal prolapse were the important clinical conditions associated with non-infectious causes. In conclusion, this study provides an idea of prevailing equine clinical conditions in Sokoto as per cases handled in the veterinary teaching hospital.